X-ray table patient rotator basket

ABSTRACT

A basket for receiving a patient for full-length X-ray examination is movable laterally relative to the X-ray table. The basket is also rotatable on its own longitudinal axis, and when so rotated the level or elevational position of the basket is adjusted automatically.

Waited States Patent Hogan Sept. 4, 1973 X-RAY TABLE PATIENT ROTATORBASKET Inventor: William F. Hogan, 49 S. Evergreen Ave., Woodbury, NJ.08096 Filed: Nov. 24, 1972 Appl. No.: 309,006

U.S. Cl 250/439, 250/456, 269/323 Int. Cl. G03b 41/16 Field of Search250/55, 56, 57;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1969 Hogan 250/43) PrimaryExaminer-James W. Lawrence Assistant ExaminerC. E. Church Attorney HenryN. Paul, Jr.. J, Walter Schilpp et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A basket for receiving a patient for full-length X-rayexamination is movable laterally relative to the X-ray table. The basketis also rotatable on its own longitudinal axis, and when so rotated thelevel or elevational position of the basket is adjusted automatically.

17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 4875 saw u Bf 5 L 3 l E 2 r I.-

I w f X-RAY TABLE PATIENT ROTATOR BASKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an X-ray table top having a cradle or basketin which the patient is strapped in fulllength on-the-back position forX-ray examination.

The invention relates particularly to means for moving the basketlaterally relative to the table top, and for also rotating the basketabout its longitudinal axis, and for means for adjusting automaticallythe level or elevational position of the basket when the basket isrotated.

In the X-ray examination of patients, it is desirable that the basket inwhich the patient is strapped be movable universally so that the patientmay be presented to the X-rays in a variety of desired positions. Thebasket is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, relative to thesupporting table top, so as to present the front, or back, or any sideportion of the patient to the X-rays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the present invention isto provide a patient-receiving basket for an X-ray table wherein thebasket is movable in the lateral or transverse direction relative to thetable top, as well as being movable rotatably about its own longitudinalaxis by means which automatically adjust the level or elevationalposition of the basket so as to maintain the patient on a constant levelrelative to a fixed X-ray image plane.

The foregoing object, as well as other objects of the invention, areachieved by the following means:

The end panels of the X-ray table top, that is, the head panel and thefoot panel, are provided with horizontal slots through which acam-follower shaft extends at each end. Each cam-follower shaft issupported ina carriage that is movable in the transverse or lateraldirections relative to the X-ray table top. This carriage is movablysupported on tracks secured to the end panel of the table top. Theinward end of the cam-follower shaft carries a cam-follower rollerbearing which supports a cam plate secured to the end panel of thepatient rotator basket. Thus, the basket is supported at each end on thecam-follower roller bearing which in turn is supported in thetransversely movable carriage. Extending outwardly from each end plateof the basket is a trunnion or shaft which extends through a horizontalslot in the end panel of the table top and is journalled in asub-carriage which is carried by, and movable vertically on trackswithin, the main transversely movable carriage. Power means are providedfor driving the basket shafts rotationally at both ends to rotate thebasket to the desired angular position up to full 90 in eitherdirection. When the basket is so rotated, the cam plate at each end ofthe basket rotates therewith on the cam-follower bearing and is of sucha shape as to cause the basket shafts to change level or elevationalposition relative to the X-ray table top and relative to the X-ray imageplane so as to retain the patient at a constant level. When the basketshaft is raised or lowered vertically, it raises or lowers thesub-carriage in which the shaft is journalled. Power means are alsoprovided for moving both ends of the main carriage transversely relativeto the X-ray table top. Such means include a nut connected to the maincarriage and adapted to travel along an elongated laterally disposedscrew supported on the end panel of the table top. When the maincarriage is driven laterally by the nut, the basket shafts are carriedalong therewith, and in so doing move the basket laterally relative tothe table top. Separate drive means are provided for moving the basketrotationally and for driving the basket laterally. Similar andcorresponding drive means are provided at each end of the table top,with the exception that the power or motor means are provided only atone end, preferably at the foot end. Elongated shafts extend the fulllength of the table top and connect the motor-driven drive means at thefoot end with corresponding means at the head end. The basket may berotated while occupying any of the lateral positions. The drive meansfor driving the basket rotationally includes, at each end of the tabletop, a pair of rigid pivotal link arms which support and carry thesprockets of a chain-andsprocket system which is used to transfer thepowerdriven drive of the basket shaft at one end of the table top to thebasket shaft at the other end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of anX-ray table top on which is supported a patient-receiving basket, which,in accordance with the present invention, is movable transverselyrelative to the X-ray table top, as wellas being adjustably rotationalon its own longitudinal axis.

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of the foot end of the table toplooking along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational end view of the head end of the table toplooking along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view, in section, at the foot end of the table top lookingalong the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view, at the head end of the table top, looking downalong the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view, in section, looking down along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of the basket end panel illustrating itsrotational movement supported by the cam plate on the cam followerroller bearing.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the basket cam plate in a limitposition on the cam-follower roller bearing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to thedrawings, FIG. 1 is a plan view of an X-ray table top 20 havingsupported thereona cradle or basket 30. The means for supporting theX-ray table top 20 is not shown but may comprise pedestal elevator meanslocated under the center portion of the table top 20 and on which thetable top 20 may be shifted longitudinally and transversely raised,lowered, or pivoted about its short transverse center axis. In FIG. 1,reference numeral 40 identifies the foot end of the table top whilenumeral identifies the head end.

A source of X-rays not shown in the drawings is positioned above orbelow the table top to project X-rays down or up through the table toponto an image plane, not shown, located below or above the table top.The image plane may be an image amplifier, or a photographic film, orany other suitable image-forming device. Thus, the table top is disposedbetween the source of X-rays, which ordinarily includes a collimator,and the image plane.

The patient to be X-rayed is ordinarily strapped in the basket 30 infull length on-the-back position. The

basket 30 is made of material, such as rigid plexiglass, which istransparent to X-rays. The basket 30 is shown in FIG. '7 as havingstraight sides and a concave bottom.

The basket 30 is rotatable about a pair of trunnions 31 and 131 whichextend outwardly, along the projected longitudinal axis of the basket,from the foot and head panels 32 and 132, respectively, of the basket.As seen in FIG. 7, the patient basket 30 is substantially wider than itis deep and, accordingly, unless compensating provision is made, whenthe basket 30 is rotated about its shafts 31 and 131 the distancebetween the nearest boundary of the basket and the X-ray image planechanges, becoming shorter as the basket is rotated from the solid-lineposition shown in FIG. 7, in which the patient is lying on his back, tothe phantom positions shown in FIG. 7 in which the patient is lying onhis side.

Heretofore, in the prior art, means have been provided for automaticallyadjusting the height or elevational position of the rotational axis ofthe basket 30 as the basket is rotated on its shafts 31 and 131. Suchprior art means are shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,482,094 issued to William.I. Hogan on Dec. 2, 1969. In that patent, a flat horizontal cam rail isfixed to the foot and head end panels of the X-ray table top, and thebasket is supported thereon by means of a series of cam follower rollerssecured to the end panels of the basket along selected cam paths. Whenthe basket is rotated these cam rollers go into and out of engagementwith the flat cam surface and the basket shafts are caused to moveupwardly or downwardly, as the case may be.

The cam rollers in the patent are at spaced intervals along the cam pathand, as a result, the transfer of the weight of the patient-occupiedbasket from one cam roller to another is noticeable to the patient,which is undesirable. This undesirable feature is not present in therotational mechanism provided by the present application wherein theshape of the cam allows for a true and constant patient plane duringrotation. In addition, the basket of the present application is alsomovable in the transverse or lateral direction, so that the patient maybe placed in the most desirable position for X-ray examination.

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of the mechanism at the foot end ofthe X-ray table top while FIG. 3

is an-elevational end view of the mechanism at the head end 140 of thetable top. The mechanisms at the foot and head ends are similar withcorresponding components. However, motor power is provided at one endonly, the foot end, with drive shafts extending the full length of thetable for driving the mechanism at the head end. This has the advantageof reducing the bulk of the equipment at the head end, thereby makingspace available for closer examination of the patient at the head andupper regions of the patients body. Another advantage is that by havingthe motors at the foot end the weight at each end of the table top tendsto be more nearly balanced, since the major portion of the total weightof the patient is on the head side of the transverse center line of thetable top.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, in section, at the foot end of the tabletop, as seen looking along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a plan viewat the head end of the table top looking down along the line 5-5 of FIG.3.

Referring now to FIGS. l-S, a first drive motor 41 is supported, as bybrackets 42 and 61, on a sub-carriage mounted for vertical movementwithin a transversely movable main carriage 43 which is supported onbearing rails secured to the foot panel 44 of the X-ray table top. Thefunction of motor 41 is to rotate basket 30 about the vertically-movableaxis of rotation of the basket. A second motor 81 is provided, supportedin fixed position on the foot panel 44 of the table top, for moving thebasket 30 laterally relative to the table top.

It was indicated previously that except for the motors, the drivemechanisms at the two ends of the table top are similar, andaccordingly, it will only be necessary to describe in detail themechanism at one end. Corresponding parts at the other end areidentified by similar reference numerals to which 100 has been added.For example, the transverse screw at the foot end is 85, while thetransverse screw at the head end is 185. The provision of correspondingdrive mechanisms at both ends is desirable, as compared with driving thebasket rotationally and/or transversely from one end only, in thatundesirable torsional and/or lateral strain on the basket is avoided.

The manner in which the basket 30 is supported will first be described,after which there will be a description of the mechanism for moving thebasket laterally relative to the X-ray table top, followed by adescription of the means for rotating the basket and for automaticallyadjusting the level of the basket axis during rotation.

Reference numerals 32 and 132 identify the foot and head panels,respectively, of the basket 30. Secured to each end panel of the basketis a trunnion or shaft, 31 and 131, respectively, for the foot and headends. These shafts 31 and 131 are shown to be secured by their flangeportions 33 and 133. Each of the basket shafts 31 and 131 has severalreduced-diameter portions, as seen in FIG. 4, forming shoulders againstwhich bearings or other parts may abut.

Also secured to each end panel 1 and 132 of the basket 30 is a camplate, 34 and 134, respectively, whose cam surfaces may have a contoursuch as is seen in F IG. 7. These cam plates 34 and 134 rest oncam-follower roller bearings, 35 and 135, respectively. The bearings 35and 135 are rotatably supported on shafts, 36 and 136, respectively,which are secured in, and supported by, main carriage 43 and 143respectively. By a mechanism to be described below, main carriages 43and 143, at the foot and head ends respectively, are movably supportedon the end panels 44 and 144 of the X-ray table top for transversemovement relative thereto.

The mechanism for moving the basket 30 laterally relative to the tabletop will now be described, after which the mechanism for rotating thebasket 30 on its own long axis will be described.

The motor 81 for driving the basket 30 in the transverse or lateraldirection is seen in FIG. 2. Motor 81, which is mounted on the footpanel 44 of the X-ray table top, drives, through a gear-reducing unit82, a shaft 89 having at one end a miter gear 83 which is in mesh with amiter gear 84 secured to one end of a transverse screw 85. Screw 85 issupported by blocks 86 on the foot panel 44 and occupies a positionparallel to the foot panel. Shaft 89, driven by the motor 81 throughgear reducer 82, is along shaft which extends the full length of thetable top within the side rail 21. A miter gear 183 at the head end ofthe shaft 89 meshes with miter gear 184 on the transverse screw 185, asseen in FIG. 3. Thus, when motor 81 drives screw 85 at the foot end,screw 185 at the head end is also driven. Motor 81 may desirably beprovided with a magnetic brake so that when the power to the motor 81 isshut off, lateral movement of the basket stops. The miter gears 83, 84,183 and 184 are preferably fiber gears in order to avoid the noise whichmetal gears would generate and which may be bothersome to the patient.

Mounted on screw 85 at the foot end is a nut 87, preferably a ball nut,and a corresponding nut 187 is mounted on screw 185 at the head end. Thenuts 87 and 187 are connected by brackets 88 and 188, respectively, tothe transverse carriages 43 and 143 at the foot and head ends,respectively. These carriages, one at each end of the table top, aresupported in tracks secured, as by bolts, to the foot and head panels 44and 144 of the X-ray table top. The tracks comprise an upper set ofbearing rails 51 and a lower set of bearing rails 52 secured to the footpanel 44 and corresponding sets of bearing rails secured to the headpanel 144. Along these rails run the upper bearings 53, 54 and the lowerbearings 55, S6 of the transverse carriage 43. Bearings 53 and 55 arelateral bearings which bear laterally against the rails 51 and 52 whilebearings 54 and 56 are vertical bearings which bear verticallythereagainst.

The main carriage 43 carries a sub-carriage 45 which is adapted to moveup and down on a vertical track within the main carriage 43. This trackis comprised of vertical rails 46 and 47 secured to and carried by themain carriage 43. Against these vertical rails bear the upper and lowersets of roller bearings 48 and 49 of the vertically movable sub-carriage45. Joumalled in the sub-carriage 45, as by bearings 57 (FIG. 4), is theshaft 31 of the basket 30. Thus, when the main carriage 43 is movedlaterally by the screw 85 and nut 87, the basket shift 31, and hence thebasket 30, are carried laterally therewith. Simultaneously, at the otherend of the table top, the basket shaft 131 is being carried laterally bythe carriage 143. r

The mechanism for rotating the basket 30 on its shafts 31 and 131 willnow be described. During rotation, the basket 30 remains supported bycam plates 34 and 134 secured to the end panels 32 and 132 of thebasket, and by the cam-follower bearings 35 and 135 which are supportedin the main carriages 43 and143. As has been described, the basketshafts 31 and 131 project through slots in the end panels 44 and 144 ofthe table tops and are journalled in the sub-carriages 45 and 145.Secured to sub-carriages 45 and 145, as seen in FIG. 4, is a supportbracket 61 and 161, respectively, in which basket shafts 31 and 131, areadditionally journallecl, as in bearings 62, seen in FIG. 4.

Mounted on basket shafts 31 and 131 are sprockets 63 and 163,respectively, about which chains 64 and 164 are respectively trained.

Mounted on, and secured to basket shaft 31 at the foot end of the tabletop (but omitted from basket shaft 131 at the head end) is a worm gear65 which is in mesh with and driven by a worm 66 (FIG. 2) which isdriven by drive motor 41 through a gear reducing unit 67. Thus, when themotor 41 is energized, under the control of a suitably mounted switch orswitches, the worm gear 65 is driven rotationally thereby rotating thebasket shaft 31. WYen basket shaft 31 is thus rotated, sprocket 63,which is keyed, pinned, or otherwise secured to the shaft 31, isrotated. Sprocket 63 drives a series of chains and sprockets, as well assuitable idler sprockets (not shown) for tension control. This series ofchains and sprockets is identified comprehensively by reference numeral70. The final sprocket of the series is identified 71. Sprocket 71 iskeyed or otherwise secured to an elongated shaft 72 which extends thefull length of the table top within the side rail 22. Thus, when motor41 is energized, sprocket 71 drives the shaft 72 rotationally. Forconvenience, motor 41 is under the control of two switches, one at eachend of the X-ray table top.

At the head end of shaft 72, as seen in the lower corner portion of FIG.3, a sprocket 171 is keyed which, through a series of chains andsprockets 170 corresponding to those identified as 70 at the foot end ofthe table, drives sprocket 163 which is secured to basket shaft 131.Thus, basket shaft 131 is driven rotationally at the same time, in thesame direction, and to the same extent, that the basket shaft 31 at thefoot end is driven rotationally by the motor 41.

The chain-and-sprocket system 70 at the one end of the table top, andthe corresponding chain-andsprocket system 170 at the other end of thetable top is specially adapted to accommodate to the fact that thebasket is movable laterally relative to the table top. To this end, thechain-and-sprocket system includes a pair of rigid pivotal link arms 96and 97 at the foot end with corresponding rigid link arms 196 and 197 atthe head end. Looking at FIG. 2, it will be seen that the lower end ofarm 96 is pivotally supported on shaft 78 mounted for rotation insupport block 77. Shaft 78 carries the dual sprockets 75. The lower orinward end of arm 97 is pivotally supported on shaft 80 mounted on anextension 98 of the main carriage 43. The other ends of arms 96 and 97are pivotally connected on common shaft 79 which is free to move. Itwill be seen that when the carriage 43 is driven to the left, as viewedin FIG. 2, shaft 80 travels along a horizontal straight path, whileshaft 79 is pushed leftward along an arcuate path. In this movement thedual sprockets 73 do not rotate, and the chain 76 merely walks aroundthe sprocket 74. Thus, the mechanism shown accommodates to thetranslational or lateral movement of the basket without causing rotationof the basket about the basket shafts. Rotation of basket 30 about thebasket shafts only occurs when motor 41 is energized to drive the basketshaft 31 rotationally through worm 66 and worm gear 65. This driving ofbasket shaft 31 is transmitted through the chain-and-sprocket sYstems tothe basket shaft 131 at the other end.

To prevent the basket 30 from being rotated beyond desired limits,electrical, and also mechanical, limiting devices may preferably beprovided. In the drawings, worm gear 65 is shown as having keyed theretoa sector plate92 having fixed thereto and projecting outwardly therefroma limit pin 93 which is adapted to contact one or the other of a pair oflimit switches 94, to shut off the drive motor 41. One of the limitswitches 94 projects against excessive rotation of the basket shaft andbasket in the counter-clockwise direction (FIG. 2) while the other limitswitch 95 projects against excessive rotation in the clockwisedirection.

Mechanical protection against rotating the basket beyond desired limitsis also provided, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, by affixing a pair of limitpins 37 to the end panel 32 of the basket 30. Similar limit screws 137(FIG. 5) may also be provided in the panel 132 at the other end of thebasket. It will be seen from the schematic illustration in FIGS. 7 and 8that when the basket has been rotated, either clockwise orcounterclockwise, to the positions shown in phantom in FIG. 7, the stoppin 37 comes into contact with the bearing 35 to prevent furtherrotation of the basket. This assures that the basket is not rotatedbeyond the point where the cam plate 34 supports the basket on thebearing 35.

At least some of the component parts of the mechanism illustrated anddescribed herein may be formed of lightweight metal in order to reducethe weight and/or cost of the equipment. For example, the bearing rails51 and S2 for the transversely movable main carriage 43, and the bearingrails 46, 47 for the vertically movable sub-carriage 45, may preferablybe formed of aluminum having a hardened surface, hardened, for example,by the Tufram process, a process of General Magnaplate Corporation ofLinden, NJ. When applied to aluminum, the Tufram process produces asurface as hard as hardened steel, as well as a permanently drylubricating surface.

Attention is called to the contour of the continuous cam surface of thecam plate 34, clearly seen in FIG. 7. This contour is specially designedto keep the exterior surface of the patient at a constant level,relative to the X-ray plane located beneath the X-ray table top, as thebasket is rotated to different angular positions.

The apparatus shown and described has several features which perhapsshould be summarized:

First, the basket is driven from both ends. This is highly desirable andis necessary to avoid the torsional stress and twisting of the basketwhich would occur were it to be driven only from one end.

Secondly, the basket is driven both rotationally and laterally. Toaccomplish this, and driven at both ends, the pivotal-armsprocket-and-chain system shown and described is provided. This is animportant part of the apparatus.

Lastly, the basket is supported by a continuous cam having a shape orcontour specially designed to keep the exterior surface of the patientat a constant level relative to the X-ray image plane beneath the X-raytable.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for supporting a patient for X-ray examination, saidapparatus comprising:

a. An X-r'ay table top having a panel at each end;

b. Support means for said table top;

c. Main carriage means for each end and means for mounting said carriagemeans for transverse movement on each of said table top end panels;

d. A basket for receiving a patient, said basket having a panel at eachend;

e. First cam means secured to each of said carriages;

f, Second cam means secured to each of the end panels of said basket andoperatively engaging said first cam means for supporting said basketthereon;

g. Shaft means on the longitudinal axis of said basket at each end andsecured to said basket end panels;

h. Means journalling said basket shaft means in said carriage means ateach end;

i. Drive means, including means at each end and interconnecting meanstherebetween, for rotating said basket shaft means, said basket andbasket shaft means during such rotation being adjusted vertically by thecooperative action of Said first and second cam means; and

j. Drive means, including means at each end and interconnecting meanstherebetween, for moving said carriage means transversely to move saidbasket laterally relative to said table top while automaticallyadjusting the basket shaft drive means at each end to accommodate todriving said basket shaft means in its new transverse location.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving saidcarriage means transversely comprises:

a. Elongated screw means at each end supported on said table top endpanels;

b. Nut means at eachend mounted on said elongated screw means,

c. Means at each end connecting said nut means to said carriage means;and

d. Power means at one end only for driving said screw means at each endrotationally, said screw means at the other end being driven by saidinterconnecting means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means journalling saidbasket shaft means in said carriage means comprises:

a. A sub-carriage and means supporting said subcarriage for verticalmovement within said main carriage means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said drive means for rotatingsaid basket about the axis of said basket shaft means comprises:

a. A gear mounted on and secured to said basket shaft means at one endof said basket;

b. Gear drive means mounted on said sub-carriage and in mesh with saidgear;

c. Motor means mounted on said sub-carriage for driving said gear drivemeans;

i d. An interconnecting shaft extending from one end of said table topto the other;

e. A series chain-and-sprocket means at each end of said table top, thesprocket means at one end of the series being mounted on a shaft fixedin said main carriage means, the sprocket means at the other end of theseries being mounted on a shaft having a fixed position in said tabletop;

f. A pair of rigid arms having their adjacent ends pivotallY mountedtogether on a common movable shaft, the distal end of one of said armsbeing pivotally mounted on said fixed shaft of said sprocket means atone end of said series,-the distal end of the other of said arms beingpivotally mounted on said fixed shaft of the sprocket means at the otherend of the series, intermediate sprocket means being mounted on saidcommon movable shaft, and

g. Means connecting said sprocket means at said other end of said seriesto said interconnecting shaft.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:

a. Said means connecting said sprocket means at said other end of saidseries to said interconnPcting means comprises an additional sprocketmounted on and secured to said interconnecting shaft and a chainconnecting said additional sprocket to said other end sprocket.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said end panels of said table top are sl tted;

b. Said first cam means comprises a am shaft mounted in said maincarriage and projecting through a slot in said table top end panel;

c. A cam bearing is mounted for rotation on said cam shaft;

d. Said second cam means comprises a contoured cam plate which bears onsaid cam bearing to support said basket, whereby rotation of said basketshaft means causes said basket and cam plate to rotate, whereby said camplate and cam bearing cooperate to change the elevational position ofsaid basket shafts.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein:

a. Said cam plate is so contoured as to maintain the exterior surface ofa patient in the basket at a substantially constant distance above thetable top during rotation of said basket.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting saidcarriage means for transverse movement on said table top end panelincludes bearing rails secured to said end panel.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein:

a. Said bearing rails are formed of surface-hardened aluminum.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein:

a. Said surface-hardened aluminum bearing rails are Tufram treated.

11. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for rotating saidbasket about the axis of said basket shaft means comprises:

a. A worm gear mounted on and secured to said basket shaft means;

b. A worm mounted on said sub-carriage and in mesh with said worm gear;and

c. Motor means mounted on said sub-carriage for driving said worm shaft.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for rotating saidbasket also includes:

a. An interconnecting shaft extending from one end of said table top tothe other;

b. A series chain-and-sprocket means at each end of said table top, thesprocket means at one end of the series being mounted on a shaft fixedin said main carriage means, the sprocket means at the other end of theseries being mounted on a shaft having a fixed position in said tabletop;

c. A pair of rigid arms having their adjacent ends pivotally mountedtogether on a common movable shaft, the distal end of one of said armsbeing pivotally mounted on said fixed shaft of said sprocket means atone end of said series, the distal end of the other of said arms beingpivotally mounted on said fixed shaft of the sprocket means at the otherend of the series, intermediate sprocket means being mounted on saidcommon movable shaft, and

d. Means connecting said sprocket means at said other end of said seriesto said interconnecting shaft.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein:

a. Said means connecting said sprocket means at said other end of saidseries to said interconnecting means comprises an additional sprocketmounted on and secured to said interconnecting shaft and a chainconnecting said additional sprocket to said other end sprocket.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein:

a. Said end panels of said table top are slotted;

b. Said first cam means comprises a cam shaft mounted in said maincarriage and projecting through a slot in said table top end panel;

c. A cam bearing is mounted for rotation on said cam shaft; and

d. Said second cam means comprises a contoured cam plate which bears onsaid cam bearing to support said basket, whereby rotation of said basketshaft means causes said basket and cam plate to rotate, whereby said camplate and cam bearing cooperate to change the elevational position ofsaid basket shafts.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein:

a. Said cam plate is so contoured as to maintain the exterior surface ofa patient in the basket at a substantially constant distance above thetable top during rotation of said basket.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said means for mounting saidcarriage means for transverse movement on said table top end panelincludes bearing rails secured to said end panel.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein:

a. Said bearing rails are formed of surface-hardened aluminum.

1. Apparatus for supporting a patient for X-ray examination, saidapparatus comprising: a. An X-ray table top having a panel at each end;b. Support means for said table top; c. Main carriage means fOr each endand means for mounting said carriage means for transverse movement oneach of said table top end panels; d. A basket for receiving a patient,said basket having a panel at each end; e. First cam means secured toeach of said carriages; f. Second cam means secured to each of the endpanels of said basket and operatively engaging said first cam means forsupporting said basket thereon; g. Shaft means on the longitudinal axisof said basket at each end and secured to said basket end panels; h.Means journalling said basket shaft means in said carriage means at eachend; i. Drive means, including means at each end and interconnectingmeans therebetween, for rotating said basket shaft means, said basketand basket shaft means during such rotation being adjusted vertically bythe cooperative action of Said first and second cam means; and j. Drivemeans, including means at each end and interconnecting meanstherebetween, for moving said carriage means transversely to move saidbasket laterally relative to said table top while automaticallyadjusting the basket shaft drive means at each end to accommodate todriving said basket shaft means in its new transverse location. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving saidcarriage means transversely comprises: a. Elongated screw means at eachend supported on said table top end panels; b. Nut means at each endmounted on said elongated screw means, c. Means at each end connectingsaid nut means to said carriage means; and d. Power means at one endonly for driving said screw means at each end rotationally, said screwmeans at the other end being driven by said interconnecting means. 3.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means journalling saidbasket shaft means in said carriage means comprises: a. A sub-carriageand means supporting said sub-carriage for vertical movement within saidmain carriage means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein saiddrive means for rotating said basket about the axis of said basket shaftmeans comprises: a. A gear mounted on and secured to said basket shaftmeans at one end of said basket; b. Gear drive means mounted on saidsub-carriage and in mesh with said gear; c. Motor means mounted on saidsub-carriage for driving said gear drive means; d. An interconnectingshaft extending from one end of said table top to the other; e. A serieschain-and-sprocket means at each end of said table top, the sprocketmeans at one end of the series being mounted on a shaft fixed in saidmain carriage means, the sprocket means at the other end of the seriesbeing mounted on a shaft having a fixed position in said table top; f. Apair of rigid arms having their adjacent ends pivotallY mounted togetheron a common movable shaft, the distal end of one of said arms beingpivotally mounted on said fixed shaft of said sprocket means at one endof said series, the distal end of the other of said arms being pivotallymounted on said fixed shaft of the sprocket means at the other end ofthe series, intermediate sprocket means being mounted on said commonmovable shaft, and g. Means connecting said sprocket means at said otherend of said series to said interconnecting shaft.
 5. Apparatus accordingto claim 4 wherein: a. Said means connecting said sprocket means at saidother end of said series to said interconnPcting means comprises anadditional sprocket mounted on and secured to said interconnecting shaftand a chain connecting said additional sprocket to said other endsprocket.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: a. said end panelsof said table top are slotted; b. Said first cam means comprises a camshaft mounted in said main carriage and projecting through a slot insaid table top end panel; c. A cam bearing is mounted for rotation onsaid cam shaft; d. Said second cam means comprises a cOntoured cam platewhich bears on said cam bearing to support said basket, whereby rotationof said basket shaft means causes said basket and cam plate to rotate,whereby said cam plate and cam bearing cooperate to change theelevational position of said basket shafts.
 7. Apparatus according toclaim 6 wherein: a. Said cam plate is so contoured as to maintain theexterior surface of a patient in the basket at a substantially constantdistance above the table top during rotation of said basket. 8.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting saidcarriage means for transverse movement on said table top end panelincludes bearing rails secured to said end panel.
 9. Apparatus accordingto claim 8 wherein: a. Said bearing rails are formed of surface-hardenedaluminum.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: a. Saidsurface-hardened aluminum bearing rails are Tufram treated. 11.Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for rotating saidbasket about the axis of said basket shaft means comprises: a. A wormgear mounted on and secured to said basket shaft means; b. A wormmounted on said sub-carriage and in mesh with said worm gear; and c.Motor means mounted on said sub-carriage for driving said worm shaft.12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for rotating saidbasket also includes: a. An interconnecting shaft extending from one endof said table top to the other; b. A series chain-and-sprocket means ateach end of said table top, the sprocket means at one end of the seriesbeing mounted on a shaft fixed in said main carriage means, the sprocketmeans at the other end of the series being mounted on a shaft having afixed position in said table top; c. A pair of rigid arms having theiradjacent ends pivotally mounted together on a common movable shaft, thedistal end of one of said arms being pivotally mounted on said fixedshaft of said sprocket means at one end of said series, the distal endof the other of said arms being pivotally mounted on said fixed shaft ofthe sprocket means at the other end of the series, intermediate sprocketmeans being mounted on said common movable shaft, and d. Meansconnecting said sprocket means at said other end of said series to saidinterconnecting shaft.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein: a.Said means connecting said sprocket means at said other end of saidseries to said interconnecting means comprises an additional sprocketmounted on and secured to said interconnecting shaft and a chainconnecting said additional sprocket to said other end sprocket. 14.Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein: a. Said end panels of saidtable top are slotted; b. Said first cam means comprises a cam shaftmounted in said main carriage and projecting through a slot in saidtable top end panel; c. A cam bearing is mounted for rotation on saidcam shaft; and d. Said second cam means comprises a contoured cam platewhich bears on said cam bearing to support said basket, whereby rotationof said basket shaft means causes said basket and cam plate to rotate,whereby said cam plate and cam bearing cooperate to change theelevational position of said basket shafts.
 15. Apparatus according toclaim 14 wherein: a. Said cam plate is so contoured as to maintain theexterior surface of a patient in the basket at a substantially constantdistance above the table top during rotation of said basket. 16.Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said means for mounting saidcarriage means for transverse movement on said table top end panelincludes bearing rails secured to said end panel.
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 wherein: a. Said bearing rails are formed ofsurface-hardened aluminum.